In stark contrast to the pirates, the Marines stood with their heads hanging low, their faces filled with despair and defeat.
Yet deep down, there was also a sense of relief.
After all, continuing to fight in their current state would have led to nothing but disaster.
Their defeat was already absolute; to keep struggling now would be nothing short of suicide.
And everyone knows—when you have the chance to survive, no one chooses death.
Sengoku, along with Kizaru and Aokiji, stood to the side with dark, gloomy expressions.
El had declared the pirates the victors right in front of their faces...
And there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.
Even though this moment was being broadcast live to the entire world, they had no choice but to accept this humiliating reality.
Simply because... even if you combined the strength of all of them together...
They were still no match for El.
When your skill falls short, this is the miserable fate you must endure.
The pirates cheered wildly all around, singing praises and shouting El's name in triumph.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard was helped and supported by his crew as he made his way to the center of the battlefield.
Three Emperors of the Sea stood together:
Whitebeard, Red-Haired Shanks, and El.
Facing them were Sengoku, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
The difference in power and presence on the Marine side was painfully obvious.
Sengoku looked grimly at the three figures before him.
"What? Sengoku... do you still have a problem with the outcome?" Whitebeard asked bluntly.
He and Sengoku were old rivals.
In the past, Whitebeard had never won against him this easily.
Truly, El's contribution had been enormous.
Swallowing the anger burning in his chest, Sengoku spoke, "The Marines admit defeat."
"Now... you may retreat!"
He was terrified that the pirates, high on victory, might lose control and decide to destroy everything the Marines had left.
If that happened, it would truly be the end. Marine Headquarters would exist in name only.
Even though the fortress was already nothing but ruins...
At the very least, most of the Vice Admirals and soldiers were still alive.
As long as that core force remained, there was hope for the future.
"Retreat? It's not that simple!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"You were the ones who lost. Shouldn't you be doing something to make up for this?!"
"Guhahahaha!"
Hearing Whitebeard's words, El couldn't help but smile.
This old man really did have a way of thinking.
"What exactly do you want?!" Sengoku glared coldly at Whitebeard, a bad premonition rising in his heart.
"Since you are the defeated side... it's only right that you pay us some compensation, isn't it?" Whitebeard pressed on, refusing to let it go.
El also looked over at Sengoku and the Admirals.
He spoke up, "Whitebeard is right... You people have caused so much trouble. You nearly got Ace and the others killed. If we just let you walk away scot-free... that would be far too generous."
If only Whitebeard had said this...
Sengoku and the others might have tried to argue or negotiate.
But since El had spoken as well...
They had no choice but to accept it.
The reason was simple.
If they dared to say a single word of refusal...
El was fully capable of wiping them out right then and there.
When you possess overwhelming power, you get to be this arrogant.
And what could they possibly do about it?
After a long, heavy silence, Sengoku took the two Admirals aside to discuss their options.
They needed to come up with a countermeasure.
After quite some time...
They returned to face them.
"Fine then... What is it that you want?" Sengoku asked, looking between Whitebeard and El.
They decided to let the other side make the first move in this negotiation. It was like passing a hot potato back and forth.
Whitebeard opened his mouth to speak, but El immediately stopped him.
"Let us clear the battlefield first," El said calmly.
"Afterward, we will hold an armistice conference to decide the final outcome of this event once and for all."
The Marines opposite them were stunned by his words.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard let out a quiet breath of relief.
As much as he wanted compensation...
He honestly hadn't thought about what exactly he should demand.
El's suggestion gave him the time he needed to discuss and plan it properly.
Sengoku and his men exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"Very well!"
With that, Sengoku's body transformed into that of a massive, shining golden giant.
"Marines! The war is over!"
"All units, clear the area and regroup!"
The Marines began to withdraw from the battlefield, gathering behind Sengoku and the others.
Whitebeard also signaled his crewmates to shout out orders.
Marco and the other commanders told every pirate to stand down and cease fire.
As for El's side, there was no trouble at all.
His crew consisted of only himself and Crocodile, who had come along.
After recruiting two more Warlords, plus Gecko Moria who was already there... they only numbered five people in total.
In less than two seconds, El's group was already fully assembled and ready.
Countless pirates boarded their respective ships...
And slowly began to sail out of the harbor.
Once they were out of the port...
Even if the Marines had set up ambushes or traps earlier, it no longer mattered—they couldn't harm the pirates anymore.
Whitebeard truly lived up to his name as a veteran legend; he left absolutely nothing to chance.
Soon...
The battlefield was empty save for debris and scars of the battle.
Only the leaders from both sides remained.
Sengoku looked at El and asked...
"When do you plan to hold this meeting?"
Since they held no initiative or power anymore, they might as well let El decide everything.
El replied calmly, "Two days from now... at Enies Lobby!"
"We shall meet there."
And just like that, El had decided upon an unprecedented conference involving the most powerful figures in the world.
Pirate Side: Whitebeard, El...
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